Disturbed by the death of 17 people in two separate night trips, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Dauda Ali Biu, has for the umpteenth time cautioned drivers against night trips, overloading and excessive speeding.
He gave the caution again after receiving the report of two crashes that occured at the early hours of yesterday, Monday, March 4, 2024 at Tashar Yari village along Zaria-Kano Expressway and Fire Service Academy along Yangoji-Gwagwalada expressway.
FRSC spokesman, Assistant Corps Marshal Jonas Agwu,
said according to the reports submitted by crash investigation teams of the Corps, the Tashan Yari village crash which occurred at 07.36, involved a trailer overloaded with grains and 40 passengers seating on top of the goods.
“The Trailer with registration number KTG 454 ZZ which was on a night trip, enroute Kano from Azare, was said to have crashed due to wrongful overtaking, driving against legal speed limit as well as overloading of vehicle with goods and people alike. Out of the number, 12 victims were killed, while 28 sustained different levels of injuries.
“On the other hand, at 04.35HRS, a particular J5 bus on a night trip that drove on a speed that was against prescribed limit on that route, crashed onto a broken down Trailer that got spoilt on the expressway, and exploded into flames.
“As a result of the impact of the crash, the 5 victims were burnt beyond recognition. The Crash Investigation Report attributes the cause of the crash to Speed violation which led to loss of control.
“The crash occurred on the Yangoji-Gwagwalada expressway. It involved a Trailer without registration number and a J5 Peugeot registered as XF 530GRK.”
The FRSC said its team handled the rescue operations and took the injured victims of the Tashan Yari crash to Makarfi General Hospital.
Meanwhile, the Corps Marshal has directed Commanding Officers to step up enforcement, stakeholders’ engagement, as well as enhance advocacy campaigns.
In another development, the Corps Marshal has decorated the newly appointed Deputy Corps Marshal representing the North East Geo-political Zone, DCM Muhammed Kaigama Kabo. He also decorated the 6 other Assistant Corps Marshals that were also promoted in the just concluded 2023 exercise.
